The Media is always in the media focus and when it's so politically involved, almost an activist media in general, this is only to be expected. Public expectation of the media's role is that of a supporter of its perceived socio-political and economic objectives hence the functional role of the media has probably transitioned into one of structural "bias" where a media unit is judged based not on its objectivity but depending on how subjective it is.

Why that is so and why subjective media is more popular is linked but not exclusive to the media space. its more about the nature of the State and the kind of economics that propos up such a state. What has been basically observed is that a market economy based on competition hasn't developed and instead crony or connection or network capitalism has. This has resulted in the squeezing of the free media space. The audience has also become part of a political landscape where subjectivity dominates.

Given this framework the potential for objective media can be considered limited.

Research observations

The observations below are based on several research projects.

A series of research reports on the structural limitations of the media at the national and sub-national level stretching over the last two decades conducted on behalf of PPRC, MRDI and other agencies.

"The Structure of Media censorship in Bangladesh." This was conducted by a partnership between BRAC University and BRAC.

Digital media structure and challenges. This was part of a wider study of the multiple media patterns including the rise of social media and higher access to the media by the majority population. (BIGD, BRAC University)

These studies also involved exploring the socio-economic dimensions. It included three sectors:

Owners, workers, consumers. Within these sectors were present women, freelance and fulltime digital content creators, media managers including at the sub-national level as sub-sets. Major observations:

Structure

1. Major reason for entry into the media is economic gain, direct or indirect. Owners enter indirectly to generate social capital that can be turned into economic capital or protect existing ones..

2. Workers enter the media not as a first choice profession due to its insecurity and low wages but when other options are less.

3. Sub-national situation is more difficult than the national situation. Many media outlets are considered money making opportunities for "non-media "activities. High "exploitation" of workers including by national media with local representation promotes a culture of "deals" beyond the media functioning models.

4. The media landscape is dominated by network-capitalism structures. Owners enter the media scene to gain or strengthen networks not profit from investment. It's also noted that some media workers over time also become part of the network's upper strata and see "extra-media" activities as legitimate in their own subjectivity management.

5. As the media is seen as subject to political and economic goals not information related objectives, a new media "morality" has emerged. This is based on the principles of trickle down of network capitalism affecting workers, organizations and any informal professional code of ethics.

Operational Systems

1. Owners don't invest to make profit but expand connections and networks. Owners protect and expand their influence sphere for new income sources so news manipulation is part of the system.

2. The Attitudes of workers are not very different and could be a so-called "network journalism" serving various causes including self- serving causes.

3. GOB/Official system and institutions don't enjoy the confidence of the media and are seen as political tools of the network in State power.

4. The media is not free market driven so market sustainability of a media is not considered as an issue for consideration. No business plan is made but connection expansion plans are. Hiring is also done not based on competence but connection.

5. The media in general sees itself as by-products of network politics not public need for information Each formal/informal body linked to the media are part of the overall connection based media system creating a performance, efficiency and accountability gap.

Censorship

1. Owners consider the GO and consumers as censors and not comfortable with information driven "ethical journalism". Compliance with official directives are seen as useful as that strengthens connections.

2. Media workers see owners as the biggest censor more than the government as nothing is published which is not allowed by the owners.

3. The most effective censor is "bhaijan "who makes calls which no one can ignore as the price for doing so is high.

4. Many are willing to be "censored" or fed news as everyone is rewarded for doing so.

5. Use of laws including ICT is in creating self-censorship and more towards social media but its fear prevents news making that is "negative" officially.

Digital media

1. Already the highest reaching media -Youtube, FB +- and print media worst hit. Social media dominates even TV consumer behavior.

2. Weak media literacy means no quality control of content but all sensational content generates views hence the main push is economic.

3. Audience not interested in traditional media content so "serious" issues of the state which "mainstream" media pushes has low traction

4. It's a source of income for the marginalized middle class as access to their job market is limited.

5. It can lead to abuse, harassment etc but no way out for the moment as no system of digital censorship exists.

Given the above situation, it may be said that the media has become subject to the active "network based State construction" which is dominated by the government /State. Meanwhile society has moved away from this media stream and much more into social media over which the control of networks including the government or political parties are limited.